Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Halloween is approaching fast and the shops are filling up with spooky costumes, decorations, pumpkins and sugary treats. It can be difficult to avoid overindulging on sweets and chocolate at Halloween, but there are some healthy swaps you can make.
Before you head out to buy bags of sugary and fatty Halloween treats, why not consider celebrating Halloween in a healthier way.
Here’s some ideas to help you enjoy a healthier Halloween:
• Whizz up some ‘vampire blood’ smoothies by blending strawberries, raspberries and blueberries that are packed full of antioxidants to keep your heart and arteries healthy.
• Pumpkin is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals and low in calories. When hollowing out your pumpkin lantern, save the flesh to make tasty pumpkin soup and call it ‘witches’ brew’. You can find many more healthy pumpkin recipes here
• Swap some of the sweets for ‘bat droppings’ of dried fruit and unsalted nuts and give your little monsters a boost of vitamins, minerals and fibre, as well as plenty of energy to run around in their scary costumes.
• Buy Halloween-themed toys, puzzles, magazines or stationery to give the kids, instead of sweets and chocolate.
Thorntons Charity Wills Campaign goes virtual for 2020
Cash for Kids is set to receive a considerable five figure sum once again this year from Thorntons Solicitors as the beneficiary of the firm’s Charity Wills Campaign.
Taking place across its offices in Fife, Dundee, Perth, Angus and Edinburgh, Thorntons won’t charge a fee for Wills written throughout November. Instead the firm asks clients to make a fee equivalent donation to Cash for Kids.
Now in its 24th year, Thorntons Charity Wills Month has raised more than £450,000 for Cash for Kids since it launched, supporting local children and organisations within the communities Thorntons operates.
Murray Etherington, Partner at Thorntons, said: “Charity Wills will take place completely virtually this year, which is a first for the firm, but we’ve seen first-hand the success of providing clients with legal advice and services securely and remotely in recent months. Our personal care and attention to detail is never compromised and, for many clients, it is more efficient.
“We wanted to continue to support Cash for Kids given the challenge they and other charities are facing because of the Coronavirus pandemic. This campaign has gathered great momentum over the years and we’re delighted to be able to support such a worthy cause and hopefully raise another milestone total for Cash for Kids.”
Emma Kemp, Regional Charity Manager for Cash for Kids said: “We are so proud to partner with Thorntons again for Charity Wills month this November.
“Every year we are entirely grateful to Thorntons and their clients for their continued support. Over the years this campaign has raised a phenomenal amount of money for our local children and I have every belief this year will be exactly the same, allowing us to support local kids who are most in need.”
For more details of Thorntons Charity Wills, visit:
Foysol Choudhury MBE has been involved with the Edinburgh and Lothian’s Regional Equality Council (ELREC) since he was a teenager and has been an active campaigner for equality and good race and interfaith relations in Scotland.
He has served the ELREC as a Trustee, company secretary, Vice Chair and he is currently its Chairman.
Sir Geoff Palmer was the first black professor in Scotland, he is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Life Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sir Palmer is also a prominent human rights activist and is involved in a considerable amount of charity work in the community.
He wrote a series of articles for the Times Educational Supplement from 1969 to 1971 on way to improve the education of children from ethnic minorities. Currently, he is the Honorary President of ELREC.
Irene Mosota is a social entrepreneur and the founding director of the Giving Voice Initiative (GVI), which is supported by Knowledge-Bridge.
Knowledge-Bridge is an Organisation development consultancy that provides training on Translating Race Equality and Diversity Strategies into Action.
The Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, the campaigning organisation for older people in Scotland, have today released a report calling for the creation of a National Care Service in light of the tragic number of deaths related to Covid-19 within care home settings.
The report is supported by the STUC.
Rose Jackson, SPF Chair, argued: “Covid-19 has had a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable members of our society with many older people losing their lives prematurely due to the inadequate measures in place within residential care settings – things must change as a matter of urgency to ensure that more older people don’t lose their lives unnecessarily as a consequence of this.”
The report also highlights the profits being made by private companies and overseas investment in the care home sector and calls for an urgent review of this practice.
“We must replace a profit based system with something more akin to the NHS to avoid tax payers providing grossly inflated profits to shell companies and overseas speculators.”
The SPF, who have strong links with the STUC and its affiliates, have also set out a plan for a care service which would be beneficial for care home residents whilst also protecting the rights and welfare of employees in the care sector.
Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary, welcomed the report stating: “Older people in Scotland have suffered greatly during this pandemic. Reports that half of all Covid deaths in Scotland have been from people living in care homes is a disgrace that should shame Governments and employers.
“The STUC has repeatedly called for a National Care Service, and while the Scottish Government have promised to review it, we must continue to push for a fully nationalised service that puts service users and care workers before profit and greed. That is why we continue to demand that the voice of care users and the voice of workers is directly represented on the Adult Social Care Inquiry.
“It is the least we, as a society, can do for our older population and for future generations to come.”
With Halloween just around the corner, Ardbeg has created some beastly cocktails using Ardbeg Wee Beastie.
These colourful cocktails include Bramble Bite, Bloody Rob Roy and Bubble Beast.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie is the latest permanent expression to join the Distillery’s core range. At just 5 years old, the incredible smokiness of Ardbeg Wee Beastie is untamed by age. This feisty young creature boasts a formidable bite
On the snout, Ardbeg Wee Beastie’s intense aromas of cracked blacked pepper mingle with sappy pine resin and a sharp tang of smoke. Suddenly, an explosive mouthfeel bursts forth with chocolate, creosote and tar. Savoury meats sink into the palate before a long salty mouth coating finish slinks away… revealing the inner beast of this Islay icon.
Young and intensely smoky, this is a monster of a dram. Matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, Ardbeg Wee Beastie is perfect for enjoying neat or as the mouth-watering main ingredient in a powerfully smoky cocktail.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright Auric
Nose: Very bright, fresh and herbal, with hints of vanilla, pear, freshly cracked black pepper, honey-glazed ham. Rich Turkish coffee, sappy pine resin. With water, more herbal top notes like vetiver and fennel, along with aniseed, green apple and leather.
Taste: A rich, explosive mouthfeel with lots of chocolate, tar, creosote and smoked bacon, followed by a burst of antiseptic lozenges, eucalyptus and more aniseed.
Finish: A long, salty and mouthcoating finish with hints of cocoa, fudge and savoury meats.
A whopping 95% of Scottish consumers say that since the Covid-19 outbreak, it is more important than ever to take care of our planet and the environment, a European-wide study by drink can recycling initiative, Every Can Counts, has found.
The stats show that Scots are leading the way in the UK for feeling the importance of recycling in current times.
The majority (94%) of survey respondents in Scotland said it is an urgent task to tackle recycling, while 96% said that considering recycling and its importance for the planet is an obligation of all citizens and consumers, not just world leaders.
Despite this however, the survey also discovered that in these uncertain economic times, 55% of Scottish consumers say that the economy is currently a priority over the environment.
In the wake of Sir David Attenborough’s latest film, A Life On Our Planet, as well as his joining Instagram at 94 and achieving one million followers in record-breaking time, it seems environmental issues are finally coming to the fore.
Within the film’s poignant and hard-hitting introduction, Attenborough says, “The natural world is fading. This film is my witness statement and my vision for the future. The story of how we came to make this, our greatest mistake, and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right.”
It seems this seed has been well and truly planted in the minds of Scots with 73% stating that, during the pandemic, they have recycled more than ever, suggesting that the increase in time spent at home has made it easier for people to do their bit and recycle more. Only 48% however, said they often or always recycle when at work and less when out and about at 45%.
Commenting on the figures, Rick Hindley, Director of Every Can Counts says: “The figures imply that given the time and correct resources, we’re all more than capable of recycling everything we can.
“It’s when we’re out and about or at work that it becomes more difficult. The findings from the survey also suggest that Covid-19 has prompted us to consider our own fragility as human beings and look at the way we treat the planet, our home.
“The Covid-19 outbreak has of course brought about devastating effects. However, as we can see from these survey results, one positive is that people are beginning to sit and up and take notice of the vital environmental issues we are facing. We do not have forever to rectify the damage that has been done to our planet. The time is now.
“Recycling – and especially recycling drink cans given that aluminium is infinitely recyclable – is something we can all do to help the planet. Over the past five years, the UK recycling rate for drink cans has increased by 16% to an impressive 76%. Our vision is to get that to 100%.”
Scottish respondents echoed this call to action with a massive 92% saying they would like to do more when it comes to recycling and 84% feeling that more needs to be done in general to encourage recycling amongst consumers.
Of the 12 UK regions surveyed as part of the wider European study, Greater London, Yorkshire & Humberside, the South West and South East came up top when quantifying the importance of recycling with scores of 80% plus, closely followed by Scotland and the West Midlands with scores of 79%.
It appears that the challenges of Covid-19 have further inspired Scots to care for the environment. 95% of Scots agreed that Covid-19 has made taking care of the planet and recycling more important than ever, the highest level of agreement recorded across all 12 UK regions, shared with the East of England.
Below: UK regions ranked in order of agreeing with the following statement: After Covid-19 it is more important than ever to take care of our planet / environment and recycle.
1. Scotland 95%
2. East of England 95%
3. North West 93%
4. Northern Ireland 93%
5. Greater London 91%
6. North East 91%
7. Yorkshire & Humberside 91%
8. East Midlands 90%
9. West Midlands 89%
10. South West 89%
11. Wales 86%
12. South East 84%
To see an Every Can Counts brand video, visit: YouTube.
As the clocks go back this Sunday check if you are eligible for the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payments Scheme.
£27 million in total paid out in 2018-19.
£25 cash available for every week of cold weather between 1st November and 31st March.
As the nights get longer, the clocks go back and the temperatures drop you could be entitled to cash from the UK Government to help with your energy bills and keep your home warm.
Cold Weather Payments total £25 for each seven days of actual or forecast temperatures below freezing in your area between 1st November and 31st March.
If you receive Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest then you may be eligible.
Baroness Stedman-Scott said:“Winter can be a difficult time for people, and our Cold Weather Payment will help you keep your home warm as temperatures drop.
“Payments are made automatically but if you think you might be eligible, you can check online to see if your area is due a payment and plan accordingly.”
Cold Weather Payments do not affect your other benefits.
UK Government Scotland Minister, Iain Stewart said:“Looking after our fellow citizens and protecting the vulnerable in our communities is more important than ever as we overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
“The UK Government is committed to helping those in need stay warm during a cold Scottish winter. We know the difference Cold Weather Payments make and I encourage people to check online to see if they’d be eligible to receive this additional UK Government support.”
Based on previous Government estimates that 80 lives a year could be saved by scrapping the October clock change, the UK could reduce the number of people killed on our roads by four and a half per cent and save the economy £160m, says the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, who is calling on the Government to stop the practice.
The charity believes that moving to a permanent daylight-saving system would significantly improve road safety, especially for vulnerable road users such as children, pedestrians and cyclists.
“Every year there are unnecessary victims of road collisions throughout the winter months during commutes to work or school which could easily be avoided if the Government scrapped the process of changing the clocks,” comments Neil Greig, Policy and Research Director at IAM RoadSmart.
“Young pedestrians under 15 are already a huge ‘at risk’ group for road safety, and that risk becomes even greater as the nights draw in.
“Stopping the change of clocks would be easy to implement and, without question, would save lives – there are no good road safety reasons why this isn’t happening. The UK should at least set up a two-year trial to prove the benefits once and for all.”
Indeed, in November and December 2019, the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries rose by 344 (from 6,787 to 7,131 representing a five per cent increase) compared with the two months prior to the clock change.
Well-established figures prove that casualty rates rise between 3pm and 7pm as the days shorten. IAM RoadSmart warns that the dark afternoons are an especially dangerous time for youngsters coming home, with less supervision and individuals heading off to different activities at different times during this key period.
To facilitate the improvement, IAM RoadSmart recommended earlier this year that to allow extra daylight in the afternoons, we should not put the clocks back this winter, then next March move one hour ahead – and then go back one hour in October 2021 – a so called ‘double British summer time’.
Neil concluded: “Clearly it is now unfortunately too late to do anything ahead of this weekend, but we urge the Government to reconsider its policy ahead of next March.
“Road safety is now about small incremental gains from a number of policy changes and daylight saving could play its part in helping break the current flat lining in road deaths we are seeing in this country.”
In 1968, the UK Government carried out a three-year experiment which saw the clocks not being put back from March until October 1971, essentially staying in summer time for three years.
Throughout the experiment figures were collected at peak times which revealed that around 2,500 fewer people were killed or injured during the winters where the clocks weren’t put back – this represented a reduction of nearly 12 per cent.
Flagship venues are to receive funding as part of the ongoing emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) support for cultural and heritage organisations.The news comes as Scotland is allocated £97 million from the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.
Capital Theatres – which operates the Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre and The Studio in Edinburgh – will receive £500,000 in addition to £250,000 already awarded through the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund to help weather the effects of the pandemic.
The Burrell Renaissance Project in Glasgow has been awarded £750,000 to help cover increased project costs caused by the COVID-19 crisis and V&A Dundee will receive £1 million of support.
The funding is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to support culture and heritage sectors as they recover from the impacts of COVID-19. So far almost £98 million of emergency funding has been allocated.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and the Scottish Government is determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis. This includes providing financial support to our flagship cultural venues, as well as the work already underway to help smaller organisations and individuals within the culture sector.
“This latest funding announcement brings the Scottish Government’s total COVID-19 support package for our culture and heritage sectors to just under £98 million. We know further support will still be needed, and the major issues presented by the pandemic are not going away, which is why we will continue to work in partnership with the sector to support them to not only survive the pandemic but to thrive in future.”
CEO of Capital Theatres Fiona Gibson said: “Today’s emergency funding announcement from the Scottish Government for Capital Theatres is greatly appreciated. It is the short-term financial lifeline that we have campaigned tirelessly for in recent months.
“We would very much like to thank the Scottish Government for their support and recognition, acknowledging the crucial contribution our theatres provide to the local, national and cultural sector economies. This will enable us to continue supporting our core staff, freelancers and communities alike.”
Scottish Government emergency COVID-19 funding for cultural and heritage sectors also includes:
£12.5 million for Performing Arts Events Venues Relief Fund
£2.2 million for Grassroots Music Venues
£4 million for Museums Recovery and Resilience Fund
£10 million for the Events sector
£3.8 million for National Trust for Scotland to protect jobs
£15 million for a Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund
£5 million to address hardship faced by creative freelancers
£5 million to support artists developing new creative work that will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s recovery from COVID-19
£3.5 million for independent cinemas
£3 million for youth arts, including the Youth Music Initiative
£21.3 million for Historic Environment Scotland
£5.9 million to support heritage organisations through committed grants
£270,000 for the New Lanark Trust World Heritage site
£4 million for historic environment recovery
£1 million for Scotland’s Science Centres
And in England, 35 of the country’s leading cultural organisations and venues will be the first to receive grants between £1 and £3 million from the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced this morning.
£75 million will protect some of the nation’s most significant stages, from the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe and the internationally renowned Sadler’s Wells to major theatres like the Old Vic, Sheffield Crucible, Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
These famous organisations have been essential stepping stones for some of the UK’s brightest stars including Adrian Lester, Abi Morgan, Mark Rylance and David Tennant.
More than £500 million has now been allocated from the Culture Recovery Fund to nearly 2,500 cultural organisations and venues of all sizes, including cinemas, heritage sites, museums, circuses, festivals and comedy clubs across the country, to help them plan for reopening and restarting performances and programmes.
The certainty and security provided by these grants will also help to support organisations as they plan for the future and create opportunities for freelancers.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As part of our unprecedented £1.57 billion rescue fund, today we’re saving British cultural icons with large grants of up to £3 million – from Shakespeare’s Globe to the Sheffield Crucible.
“These places and organisations are irreplaceable parts of our heritage and what make us the cultural superpower we are. This vital funding will secure their future and protect jobs right away.”
All four nations are benefiting from the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, with £188 million barnetted to the Devolved Administrations to run their own process – £97 million for Scotland (see above), £59 million for Wales and £33 million for Northern Ireland.
This funding will enable them to increase the support already available to the arts and cultural sectors in each nation.
Five level plan to vary rules for rapid but proportionate response to COVID-19.
A five-level framework which will allow for a refreshed strategic approach to suppressing Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks across Scotland has been published.
The framework indicates different levels of protection that might be needed based on different levels of transmission for the virus. It will allow for rapid but proportionate responses on both a local and national basis using a transparent range of measures and options.
The framework will comprise five protection levels. ‘Level 0’ is effectively the same level of protection as the Route Map Phase 3 measures Scotland reached in August and will act as a baseline, with four levels above that designed to apply increasing protection from the virus in areas according to prevalence, the risk to communities and the need to protect the NHS.
Levels 1, 2 and 3 will be broadly equivalent to the UK Government levels to offer some uniformity with measures south of the border. Levels will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Ongoing financial support is set out in the framework and will be available to businesses which are required to close or which can remain open but will be directly affected by restrictions. The Scottish Government will work with local authorities to ensure grants are made available quickly and efficiently.
In the coming days the Scottish Government will engage with local government, stakeholders, economic groups and other partners, prior to a final version of the strategic framework being debated in parliament next Tuesday (27 October).
Further details on which local authority areas of Scotland will fall under which levels will be announced following discussions with directors of public health and local authorities, taking on board recommendations from the national incident management team, before coming into force on 2 November.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It has become increasingly clear that we need to update our approach to tackling Coronavirus to adapt to this latest phase of the pandemic. The draft strategic framework we are publishing sets out how we intend to do that.
“It tries to balance different types of harms. But it is worth stressing that if we allow the virus to run out of control then that will exacerbate every other harm.
“In the coming days, we will listen to views from stakeholders on any suggested changes they might have, or how they would like to see it implemented. Although the framework we have published is new, the principles behind it will be familiar.
“I know that when people hear the daily figures it’s easy to feel as though the hard sacrifices we are all living with are not making a difference. But by taking these difficult steps we will help suppress the virus, and that is why I am asking everyone to stick with it.”
